Mouse-trap.



PATENTBD MAR. 1'7, 1903.

W. O. HOOKER. MOUSE TRAP. APPLIoATIoN FILED D110. s, lso.

N0 MODEL.

- emigzays TDD-filo.. WASHXNTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM CHAUNOEY HOOKER, OF ABINGDON, ILLINOIS.

MOUSE-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 722,842, dated March 17, 1903.

Application filed December 8, 1902. Serial No. 134,391. (No model.)

To all whom it, may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM CHAUNCEY HOOKER, a citizen of the United States, regcombination, with a platform having an orifice formed therethrough,of a spring-actuated jaw and a trigger pivoted to the top ofthe platform extending through the orifice therein to the bottom' of the platform and adapted to be operated bypres'sue onthe platform'.

The invention further Vcomprises"the de-v l tails of construction andcombination off-parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the-accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the devicegset. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the trap sprung.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the platform, composed of any suitable material, but preferably of wood.

2 is the means for supporting the platform distant from the floor, said means being pref-A erably in the form of twoverticaldownwardlyf:

depending pins vsituated onefnear, each of, the transverse edges of the platform and be` tween its center and rear or trigger end, th lis serving as a'fulcrum on which the platform' may rock.

3 is a spring-actuated jaw or fly pivoted to the top of the platform and adapted to swing to and fro longitudinally of the same in the manner and for the purpose'to be presently explained. This 'jaw' comprises a single piece or strip of metal bent into substantially U form, having sides`4- and an Vend/5, and so mounted that its sharp edge will Contact with the platform.

6 is a metal rod, preferably wire, mounted in bearings 7 upon the upper face of the platform at or near its longitudinal center. This rod connects Ythe sides 4 of the jaw near its open end and serves as av pivot on which the same swings, the rod being suitably headed at its ends to prevent escape of the jaw.

8 is a torsion-spring mounted on the rod 6 with one of its ends 9 bearing on the platform audits other end 10 engaging an orifice 11,'f0rmed in one side of lthe jaw. This springisrplaced under tension and applies force to the jaw in the usual and well-known manner.

12 is the trigger, pivoted at its rear end to the platform, preferably by means of a staple 13, and having said end bent vertically upward and provided with a catch 14. The trigger extends longitudinally rearward of the platform, passes through an orifice 15, formed therethrough, to the bottom of the platform, where its free end is bent to form a pedal'l.

17 is a'recess formed in the upper face of the platform and adapted to receive the bait. In operation when the trap is set, as in Figs. l and 2, the .jaw will be turned upon its pivot to its open position, the catch 14 serving to hold the same against the action of spring 8, which tends to forcibly close the jaw. In this position of the parts the feet 2 will sustain the bulk of the weight of the platform; but the pedal 16 of the trigger will sustain sufficient weight to render it extremely sensitive, so that the slightest weight or pressure on the forward end of the platform will swing the same on its fulcrum and operate the trigger, causing the catch to release the jaw, when thespring will instant-ly 'and forcibly return the same toclosed position, as in Fig. 3. i

It is to be understood that I doV not limit myself to the precise details herein shown and described, as various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is Y 1. The combination with a platform, having an orice formed therethrough, of a spring-actuated jaw, and a trigger pivoted to the top of the platform, extending through IOO adapted to be operated by pressure on the 1o platform.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I Ahave hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WIIiLlAM CHAUNCEY HOOKER. Witnesses:

W. A. DETRICK, F. P. TYLER. 

